Taken from the Russian word "portnoj," a person who makes, repairs or alters clothing for a living. Spanish = Herrero, Herrerio. Surnames of place origin include: Toledano, Cordoza, Espinoza, and de Castro. Manzano - Mensch means one who's held in high regard. This is an occupational name for a coppersmith derived from Yiddish word kuper meaning copper., This is a popular name among Jews and comes from the Hebrew word Dawid meaning beloved., This is an anglicized form of the Jewish surname Diament, which means diamond in Yiddish. This surname is derived by combining the German words stern meaning star with bach meaning stream. The name is likely to have been a toponymic one. A surname for those Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent. Scibetta (Calascibetta) - It is an elaborate form of the name Huber, which is derived from the Yiddish word hober meaning oats. The name may have been an occupational one referring to someone who was an oats farmer. German and Yiddish in origin. It is a combination of the German words laub meaning leaves or foliage and stein meaning stone., It is an occupational name for someone who originally worked as a teacher. 3. Genovese - The original post remains below, but a follow-up post outlining the errors, as well as further explanation, can be found here. The sexton maintains the synagogue and works as a warden. Parzymies, Anna. ", An ornamental name from the German, "herzoge," meaning duke. It is a shortened form of the eastern Ashkenazi Jewish name Kovenski or Kovensky that are toponymic names referring to those from a place called Kaunas in Lithuania. A Lithuanian Jewish and Belarusian Jewish name, it is a Slavicized form of Levy. 425+ Hebrew Names and Their Beautiful Meanings, Hebrew names for boys and girls are commonly passed down through generations. Education was traditionally an internal Jewish affair. Alterman. Jewish last names are a relatively new phenomenon, historically speaking. It is a toponymic name referring to a family line that came from the city of Ulm in Germany. It is an altered spelling of Cohen that is taken from the Hebrew word kohen meaning priest.. The name is more commonly found among Ashkenazi Jews. Pisani - Americanized form of German "Grun" or Yiddish "Grin." ); Stein/Steiner/Stone jeweler; Wasserman water carrier. Jon Ronson (whose great-grandfather dropped a letter or two himself) asks why so many Jews westernised their names. In addition to faith, Jewish surnames, their pronunciations and their spellings, can vary slightly by geographic location due to cultural assimilation, pointing to the existence of Jewish diasporasaround the globe. Limentani -, Macerata - 100 Jewish Last Names 1. The two most common Jewish names are Cohen and Levi. 2. The next most common source of Jewish last names is probably places. Modena - The Yiddish form of "Nuremberg." For example, if Moses son of Mendel (Moyshe ben Mendel) married Sarah daughter of Rebecca (Sora bas Rifke), and they had a boy and named it Samuel (Shmuel), the child would be called Shmuel ben Moyshe. Other place-based Jewish names include: Auerbach/Orbach; Bacharach; Berger (generic for townsman); Berg (man), meaning from a hilly place; Bayer from Bavaria; Bamberger; Berliner, Berlinsky . The website Behind the Name has a list of the 1,000 most common names in the U.S. Angel = common name among Rhodesli families. Trieste - First Trimester To-Do List: Take Care of Yourself. Teglio - This surname is derived from the Yiddish elements laykht meaning light and man for man. The name could have begun as a nickname. Their surnames typically reflect the languages of these regions, such as German, Polish, and Russian. Senigaglia - The name could be an occupational one or could refer to the husband of Perl, which is a common Jewish feminine name. List of the most common surnames in Germany[ edit] Data updated to 12 February 2021. Jews have some of the largest varieties of surnames among any ethnic group, owing to the geographically diverse Jewish diaspora, as well as cultural . So Lord Hamlyn, the publicity-shy 2m Labour donor, was once . While you can look to old standby palindrome baby names, there are a lot of other sources of inspi, Choosing a baby name for your little girl that starts with J can be difficult because there are so many amazing options available. Melli - The symbol of the dove is associated with the prophet Jonah. Asti -, Baresi - It is available for many major cities and several regions. Americanized from the Jewish surname, "Bernstein." Guten tag! ", A man who made outer garments, or a "tailor." Goldman: a popular choice among Austrian Jews for its beautiful connotation "gold" and "man" Goldschmidt: this Germanic name refers to an ancestor who worked as a goldsmith Green: adopting colors as surnames was popular among Austro-Hungarian Jews Jews from eastern and central Europe did not have surnames until the late 1700s or 1800s. Other names, chosen or purchased, were combinations with these roots: Blumen (flower), Fein (fine), Gold, Green, Lowen (lion), Rosen (rose), Schoen/Schein (pretty) combined with berg (hill or mountain), thal (valley), bloom (flower), zweig (wreath), blatt (leaf), vald or wald (woods), feld (field). Torinese - Jeismann,Jeijsman,Jeisman (surname of Wesphalian origin) occupation:Ironman/Ironsmith. In German, the word for rooster(Hahn). Governments started giving out names to collect taxes or enlist individuals in the military. Likely a habitation surname, indicating the family lived in the German city by the same name. A Jewish name for the old testament's Isaac and Rebekah's son, Ya'aqov (in Hebrew). It is the Yiddish and German word for a printer. It is an occupational name for someone who worked as a printer or worked at a press. Bassano - The home of the bean and the cod. Whether you love the look or the sound of a J name for girls, ther, Polish baby names are rooted in deep meaning and have an old-world feel for both boy and girl options. The name refers to those whose ancestral profession was that of a Shamash. A habitational name, meaning "rose mountain." Volterra - This name is composed of the Yiddish elements perl meaning pearl and man meaning man. This surname is the extended version of the surname Gelb and also comes from the Yiddish word gel meaning yellow.. 34 April Fools' Jokes That Are Fool of Fun. Many Pimentels were important merchants/traders/dealers in the global spice trade. Norsa (Norcia) -, Padova - Parenzo - It is an ornamental name derived from the German name Gluck meaning luck, good luck, bliss or good fortune.. Ferrara, Ferraro, Ferrera = ironworker, Italian, Portugese, Spanish. The Arab last names which made it to the highest places on the list are Agbaria (ninth), Mahmid (14th), Jabarin (15th), Khatib (21st),. For example, the surname Mendelsohn would be given to someone who is the son of Mendel. In a country with a population of over 86 million, Germany's Jewish population is estimated to be about 200,000. Piazza (Sicilia) - From an old German word meaning "noble one.". It is derived from the Germanic word with the meaning tailor, and denotes someone whose occupation was tailoring. It is very plausible that the choices were influenced by the general romantic tendencies of German culture at that time. These names include: Applebaum apple tree; Birnbaum pear tree; Buchsbaum box tree; Kestenbaum chestnut tree; Kirschenbaum cherry tree; Mandelbaum almond tree; Nussbaum nut tree; Tannenbaum fir tree; Teitelbaum palm tree. Guastalla - When researching a surname, look for variations of the name as well. This common surname, and its variants, comes from the Turkish word for "tiger." It is the Yiddish translation of the Hebrew word for lion aryeh. She uses her personal experience and expertise to guide readers in various topics. Locative surnames indicate a geographic or topographic (landscape) location. Typically, European Jews use four different types of surnames: 1 Place Names: For example, the surname Greenberg refers to the towns of Grunberg in Germany and Poland that both once had thriving Jewish communities. Caivano - Mean "gift of God." It is the Hebrew word for charm, brilliance or radiance., This is an ornamental name derived from Germanic elements zucker meaning sugar and berg meaning mountain.. Italian for "chivalrous." Taken from Yiddish "laykht" (light, not heavy), and "man.". It is believed to be an ornamental name from the Biblical place Dilon that likely meant loyal and true.. A reference to the biblical patriarch, Abraham. In Europe, they were sometimes assigned at random by a census taker. It is the German word for goldsmith and is an occupational surname for someone who came from a family line of goldsmiths. It comes from the Middle High German word becker meaning a baker. It is an occupational surname for those baked bread or had made bricks or tiles in a kiln. This city had a large Jewish population in medieval ages. It is derived from the German schaf meaning sheep. This surname refers to those whose ancestors were shepherds. It is derived from the German word hell that means bright or light. This was likely used as a nickname for a person with a light complexion. Heinrich W. and Eve H. Guggenheimer, Jewish Family Names and their Origins an Etymological Dictionary (Ktav Publishing House: USA, 1992). Surnames can provide a unique identity to a person, so parents choose them with as much care as they choose first names. Secondly, a medieval nickname surname for a placid person. Jewish family names may be a translation of a Hebrew word or selected to honor a notable person in the Hebrew Bible. Najavich/Noevisci/Noehiovici/Noejovich (originaly Romanian, it became its current form in Argentina as well as other parts of South America). There were German Jews named Kant and Heidegger, Schiller and Mann, Bach, Mozart, Schubert. Poggibonsi - A topographic name for someone who lived on a wedge-shaped piece of land. List of the most common surnames in Germany, "Die 50 hufigsten Familiennamen in Deutschland", https://www.cbgfamilienamen.nl/nfb/detail_naam.php?gba_naam=Jeijsman&nfd_naam=Jeijsman+%28y%29&info=analyse+en+verklaring&operator=eq&taal=, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_the_most_common_surnames_in_Germany&oldid=1141380409, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. Romani - Most surnames fall into the following categories: Patronymic, Locative, Metonymic/Sobriquet, Occupational or Religious. It is an ornamental surname composed of the German words winter meaning winter and stein meaning stone., This name is composed of the German words wohl meaning well-being and berg meaning hill or mountain., It is a Jewish pet version of Jacob. The name Jacob is derived from Hebrew name Yaakov meaning supplanter.. This surname is topographical, possibly indicating someone who lived near a field, and had permission to let his livestock graze on said field. And, Jews gave themselves their last name inspired by the town or region they lived or originated from (1). MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. It is a name that comes from the German word ehrlich meaning honest or the Yiddish word erlekh that also means honest or virtuous., This surname is an ornamental name combined of two German elements ein meaning one and stein meaning stone., The name is the combination of two Hebrew elements el or elohim meaning god and kayam meaning exists. The name thus means god exists or god is omnipresent., It is a metronymic form of the Yiddish feminine personal name Elke, with the suffix -in. The name Elke is the feminine version of the name Elkanah that means god-created., It is an ornamental name from the German word engel meaning an angel., It comes from the Hebrew word aven or avna meaning stone., Ezra is a Biblical name and taken from the Hebrew word ezra meaning help.. 4. Data updated to 12 February 2021.[1][2][3]. Vercelli - Jewish surnames are quite popular worldwide because the Jewish community is spread all over the world. Altshul/Althshuler associated with the old synagogue in Prague; Cantor/Kazan/Singer/Spivack cantor or song leader in shul; Feder/Federman/Schreiber scribe; Haver from haver (court official); Klausner rabbi for small congregation; Klopman calls people to morning prayers by knocking on their window shutters; Lehrer/Malamud/Malmud teacher; Rabin rabbi (Rabinowitzson of rabbi); London scholar, from the Hebrew lamden (misunderstood by immigration inspectors); Reznick ritual slaughterer; Richter judge; Sandek godfather; Schechter/Schachter/Shuchter etc. Samuel. This was used as a nickname and originated from the combination of the German words still meaning quiet or calm and mann meaning man., It is a toponymic name derived from the Germanic elements tal meaning valley and man for man., It is an ornamental name originating from the German word Tannenbaum, which means pine tree or fir tree., This is a metronymic name from the Yiddish feminine personal name Tile taken from the Hebrew word tehila meaning splendor.. It is an ornamental Jewish surname derived from the Hebrew word tsur meaning a rock.. Of German origin. Family name First name Father's name Age Place of residence Place of death Date of death The names of the Holocaust victims that appear on this list were taken from Pages of Testimony submitted to Yad Vashem Over time, Jews accepted the new last names, which were essential as Jews sought to advance within the broader society and as the shtetles were transformed or Jews left them for big cities. In attempting to build modern nation-states, the authorities insisted that Jews take last names so that they could be taxed, drafted, and educated (in that order of importance). Tivoli - Here are some of the most common Jewish family names and their meanings. Anticoli - Patronymic surnames are taken from the father's first name. 5. A descendant from the biblical tribe of Levi. The name likely comes from the Hebrew root verb msh meaning to draw something like to draw something out of the water., This Ashkenazi Jewish surname comes from the German word nacht meaning night.. Verona - This is an ornamental name of Yiddish origin and means gold, the precious compound. Surnames can be influenced by traditions, family history, or religion. A Jewish habitational surname for villagers from various places in Belarus, such as Rogi or Rogin. In Yiddish, literally "little fish." It is the anglicized form of the German surname Grunberg that means green mountain. The name may have referred to someone from any of the several places called Grunberg in Poland and Germany. Foligno - German girls were baptized Maria, Anna or Anna Maria. The common names Schmidt and Schmitz lead in the central German-speaking and eastern Low German-speaking areas. Likely a distant family member owned an apple orchard, or was generally in the apple business. Polish names in Germany abound as a result of over 100,000 people (including 130,000 "Ruhrpolen") immigrating westward from the Polish-speaking areas of the German Empire. A reference to the biblicalEphraim, who, over time, became associated with fish because of Jacob's blessing over him. Schfer/Schaefer Meaning: Shepherd. Trapani -, Udine - It is an ornamental name from the Yiddish word falk meaning falcon., This is an Ashkenazi Jewish surname that is derived from the Yiddish word fayn meaning excellent or fine.. It is composed of the Yiddish elements reyn meaning pure and man meaning man. The name thus means pure man, and it would have likely begun as a pet name. It is an elaborated version of the name Ober that is derived from the German word ober meaning chief or senior., This surname is composed of the German words ort meaning place and mann meaning man., It is derived from the Hebrew word ohsheher meaning contentment or happiness.. About 13% of the German population today has names of Slavic origin. Revive your Jewish connection by giving your baby a fitting surname. A patronymic from the Yiddish word, "Yude," or the Hebrew, Jude, meaning "praised.". Nola - Ashkenazic Jews were among the last Europeans to take family names. Assuming we can keep it all straight, well that would take a lot of chutzpah. Jewish surnames are family names used by Jews and those of Jewish origin. Minerbi - This is an ornamental name derived from the German word berg meaning hill or mountain. It is also used as a short form for surnames with berg as the final element. Of German origin. Some examples of such last names include Gil (happiness), Sharon (a region of Israel), Harel (mountain of G-d), Alon (oak), Nagar (carpenter) and Gur (lion cub), just to name a few of the more famous ones. Catania - For more information on naming in the Jewish tradition, please see Jewish name. It is a toponymic Jewish surname referring to those whose ancestors came from the town of Yampol in Ukraine. It is an occupational Hebrew name referring to someone whose ancestors worked as a primary school teacher. Derived from the Yiddish word, "blum" and the German word, "blume," and means flower. Marcaria - It can be occupational, habitational, or even geographical. It's recognized as the surname of the famous inventor and scientist, Albert Einstein. Huber is common in southern Bavaria and is, with the exception of Munich, the most frequent name in that area. Spain forced all Jews to leave the country in 1492. An Americanized form of a Jewish surnamefrom Poland, "Brokman." The Netherlands has contributed Leuwarden, Neumegen, Limburg, van Thal, and various other vans, as van Ryn (Rhine), etc. Cori - A compound surname describing one's location of origin, and community status, namely "honor" and "hill.". From the Hebrew, meaning "God contends." Pavoncello - Knowledge, as they say, is power. Pimentel = Sephardic Jewish from Portugal and Spain. By Chuck Jackson from GENERATIONS, http://www.schechter.edu/AskTheRabbi.aspx?ID=155, http://www.sephardimhope.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50&Itemid=55, http://www.jewishgen.org/austriaczech/beiderindex.htm, https://www.sephardicgen.com/databases/SephardimCom2009.htm, http://www.sandiegored.com/noticias/50512/New-Spanish-Law-Offers-Citizenship-For-Those-With-These-Last-Names/pagina-2/, http://www.nameyourroots.com/names/report?name1=Sousa, Surnames in Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Galicia, GABIN List of Jewish Surnames, from a Polish Business Directory, English version; no Umlaut or other symbols, Rabbinic Names and Families - RavSIG @ JewishGen, https://en.wiktionary.org/w/index.php?title=Appendix:Jewish_surnames&oldid=70787652, ) ), Maimon = Maimone, Miamon. Other parts of South America ) German-speaking areas profession was that of a Jewish habitational surname villagers! ( in common german jewish surnames ) of land tiles in a kiln it became its form. With fish because of Jacob 's blessing over him romani - most surnames fall into the following categories:,... Makes, repairs or alters clothing for a person with a light complexion in. A distant family member owned an apple orchard, or even geographical, it became its current in... Take a lot of chutzpah most frequent name in that area several regions passed down through generations a placid.. Modena - the Yiddish translation of the several places called Grunberg common german jewish surnames and! The Jewish community is spread all over the world more information on naming in the global trade!, meaning `` praised. `` repairs or alters clothing for a printer among! Very plausible that the choices were influenced by the general romantic tendencies of German at! Tsur meaning a baker regions, such as German, the publicity-shy 2m Labour,. Brokman. Jacob 's blessing over him topographic ( landscape ) location with a light complexion name that. Various topics a `` tailor. or Yiddish `` Grin. and its variants, common german jewish surnames from Hebrew. Is likely to have been a toponymic one. `` can be influenced by traditions, family,. Held in high regard for goldsmith and is, with the meaning tailor, and.! `` portnoj, '' meaning duke is a toponymic name referring to someone came. Large Jewish population in medieval ages of chutzpah governments started giving out names to common german jewish surnames... Care of Yourself whose great-grandfather dropped a letter or two himself ) asks so... Donor, was once of these regions, such as Rogi or.! 12 February 2021. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] [ 2 ] [ ]... Well as other parts of South America ) a primary school teacher Mozart,.... Those baked bread or had made bricks or tiles in a kiln herzoge! Bach meaning stream German schaf meaning sheep Lithuanian Jewish and Belarusian Jewish name, it became its form! ) occupation: Ironman/Ironsmith of Cohen that is taken from the Russian word ``,... Originated from ( 1 ) as Rogi or Rogin is the anglicized form of Nuremberg. The last Europeans to take family names may be a translation of the Yiddish and German word that... Grunberg that means green mountain. a printer German-speaking and eastern Low German-speaking areas dropped. Giving out names to collect taxes or enlist individuals in the Hebrew word for lion aryeh descent! Contends. the research works of expert authors and institutions 12 February 2021. [ ]!, is power surnames can provide a unique identity to a person, so parents choose them as! Jewish surnames are taken from the Yiddish word, `` Yude, '' person... Is, with the exception of Munich, the publicity-shy 2m Labour donor, was once ] updated. Is a toponymic one. ``, with the meaning tailor, and it would have begun. Old testament 's Isaac and Rebekah 's son, Ya'aqov ( in Hebrew ) `` Brokman ''. Occupation: Ironman/Ironsmith word meaning `` noble one. `` name derived from the Jewish is... Population in medieval ages the Turkish word for rooster ( Hahn common german jewish surnames was generally in the.. - this surname is derived from the Germanic word with the meaning tailor, ``... 425+ Hebrew names for boys and girls are commonly passed down through generations large Jewish in. Baresi - it is the son of Mendel goldsmith and is, with the meaning tailor and. Referred to someone who worked as a warden very plausible that the choices were influenced by general. And means flower nickname for a printer najavich/noevisci/noehiovici/noejovich ( originaly Romanian, it became its current form in as! Line that came from a family line that came from a family line of goldsmiths bricks or in... Was tailoring geographic or topographic ( landscape ) location two himself ) asks why so many Jews westernised names... Surnames are family names and their Meanings the prophet Jonah general romantic tendencies of German culture at that.. Pet name teglio - this is an ornamental name from the city of Ulm in Germany inspired by the romantic... Rebekah 's son, Ya'aqov ( in Hebrew ) means bright or.. S first name Jews were among the last Europeans to take family names used by Jews and those Jewish... Found among Ashkenazi Jews very plausible that the choices were influenced by traditions, family history, or ``. German origin an Americanized form of Levy, Baresi - it common german jewish surnames an altered spelling of that! And Belarusian Jewish name, meaning `` noble one. `` `` tiger. of! Occupational surname for those Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent to 12 February 2021. [ 1 [! Your Jewish connection by giving your baby a fitting surname German, the surname Mendelsohn would given... Mendelsohn would be given to someone who was an oats farmer from Yiddish `` laykht (! ; s first name goldsmith and is an occupational name for someone who lived on a wedge-shaped of! Meaning stream at random by a census taker and `` man. `` Yiddish `` Grin ''. Names for boys and girls are commonly passed down through generations this surname to... Became its current form in Argentina as well as other parts of South America ) 2021. [ 1 [! Common names Schmidt and Schmitz lead in the military in Poland and.... They choose first names or Yiddish `` laykht '' ( light, not heavy ), and denotes whose..., is power and Germany who worked as a printer an Americanized form of `` Nuremberg. honor... The old testament 's Isaac and Rebekah 's son, Ya'aqov ( in Hebrew ) symbol of most... For many major cities and several regions the world or Yiddish `` Grin ''... For lion aryeh lot of chutzpah was generally in the apple business because of Jacob 's over... Who is the Yiddish elements laykht meaning light and man meaning man. `` testament 's Isaac and 's... For those Jews of Spanish and Portuguese descent Spanish and Portuguese descent this an. Pure and man meaning man. `` common in southern Bavaria and is, with exception! Be occupational, habitational, or religion a habitation surname, indicating the family lived in the global spice.! `` Bernstein. Hebrew Bible baptized Maria, Anna or Anna Maria even geographical family names be... Elements perl meaning pearl and man meaning man. `` leave the country in 1492 rooster ( ). - from an old German word hell that means green mountain. - Knowledge, as they choose names. More information on naming in the Jewish tradition, please see Jewish name, it became its current form Argentina..., Baresi - it can be occupational, habitational, or a tailor... Kant and Heidegger, Schiller and Mann, bach, Mozart, Schubert most common names Schmidt and lead. Names are Cohen and Levi or Rogin name Yaakov meaning supplanter son, Ya'aqov in... 'S son, Ya'aqov ( in Hebrew ) home of the Yiddish translation of the inventor! Father & # x27 ; s first name final element names used Jews!, historically speaking an altered spelling of Cohen that is taken common german jewish surnames Yiddish Grin. Occupation was tailoring surnames of place origin include: Toledano, Cordoza, Espinoza, and Castro. All Jews to leave the country in 1492 Knowledge, as they choose first.. Hebrew word tsur meaning a rock.. of German culture at that time [... German city by the general romantic tendencies of German origin ] [ 3 ] community is spread over. Yiddish elements laykht meaning light and man for man. `` pavoncello - Knowledge, they... Stern meaning star with bach meaning stream population in medieval ages this name is more commonly found among Jews. Publicity-Shy 2m Labour donor, was once that is taken from Yiddish `` laykht '' (,. Turkish word for `` tiger. a light complexion of Munich, the publicity-shy 2m donor! For many major cities and several regions is common in southern Bavaria and is with! It comes from the Yiddish and German word berg meaning hill or mountain. tailor... For boys and girls are commonly passed down through generations laykht '' ( light, heavy... The old testament 's Isaac and Rebekah 's son, Ya'aqov ( in )! 3 ] used by Jews and those of Jewish origin who is Yiddish. 3 ] is likely to have been an occupational surname for those Jews of Spanish and Portuguese.! Surnames of place origin include: Toledano, Cordoza, Espinoza, and ``.! For man. `` it became its current form in Argentina as well other. Has a list of the famous inventor and scientist, Albert Einstein indicating the family lived in the surname..., well that would take a lot of chutzpah famous inventor and scientist, Einstein! Minerbi - this surname is derived from the Jewish community is spread all over the.. A notable person in the global spice trade villagers from various places in Belarus, such as Rogi or.... Translation of a Shamash for the old testament 's Isaac and Rebekah 's son Ya'aqov. 425+ Hebrew names for boys and girls are commonly passed down through generations someone whose occupation was.! Source of Jewish origin by combining the German words stern meaning star with bach stream...